It was written on vellum. Lavisly illustrated with the swirling patterns of Celtic art featuring Celtic interlace, spirals, knots, key patterns and zoomorphic drawings, the Book of Kells is an astounding
intricate masterpiece of Medieval Christian art of the 8th century.
The intention behind the creation of the Book of Kells was to reveal the divine Word made flesh.
So the illustrations go beyond decorations. Like Chinese calligraphy, it is painting, poetry, teaching, veneration and worship.
Perhaps the art works take on a mysterious feel because they evoke a complex personal response to the revelations and secrets of the divine Word.
I have collated some samples of works from the Book of Kells that delight me.
The Book of Kells
Look at it closely
and you penetrate into
the greatest secrets of art,
you will find there ornaments of such complexity,
such a wealth of interlace knots and lines
that you would think it the work of an angel
rather than that of a human being.
Giraldus Cambrensis
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